Methods of manufacturing linearly expandable ureteral stents

ABSTRACT

A method includes forming an elongated member having a tubular shape. The elongated member includes a sidewall that defines a lumen. A spiral-shaped opening is formed in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a distal retention structure. The distal retention structure can be disposed at a distal end of the elongated member and can define a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/241,450, entitled “Linearly Expandable Ureteral Stent,” filed Sep. 30, 2008, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/283,873, entitled “Linearly Expandable Ureteral Stent,” filed Oct. 30, 2002, now abandoned both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates generally to medical devices for the drainage of fluids, and more specifically to ureteral stents.

A ureter is a tubular passageway in a human body that conveys urine from a kidney to a bladder. The ureter begins with the renal pelvis and ends at the trigone region of the bladder, i.e., the triangulated area between both ureteral orifices and the bladder neck. Urine is transported through the ureter under the influence of hydrostatic pressure, assisted by contractions of muscles located within the walls (lining) of the ureter. Some patients experience a urological condition known as ureteral blockage or obstruction. Some common causes of ureteral blockage are the formation of tumors or abnormalities within the ureteral lining, or the formation and passage of kidney stones.

Ureteral stents are used to facilitate urinary drainage from the kidneys to the bladder in patients having a ureteral obstruction or injury, or to protect the integrity of the ureter in a variety of surgical manipulations. Stents may be used to treat or avoid ureter obstructions (such as ureteral stones or ureteral tumors) which disrupt the flow of urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Serious obstructions may cause urine to back up into the kidneys, threatening renal function. Ureteral stents may also be used after endoscopic inspection of the ureter.

A stent may be uncomfortable to a patient because of intramural tunnel pain, imposed by the stent itself or in combination with intraoperative trauma inflicted from device passage. Pain may also be caused by urine reflux back up the ureter during increased bladder pressure, e.g., during voiding. Further, pain may stem from trigome irritation resulting from constant irritation, imposed by the bladder anchoring features or in combination with intraoperative trauma inflicted from device passage. Moreover, discomfort may arise from flank pain, caused by reflux or kidney anchoring.

Ureteral stents typically are tubular in shape, terminating in two opposing ends: a kidney distal end and a bladder proximal end. Existing ureteral stents compensate for the motion between the kidney and bladder by employing a pair of coil end-effectors, with one effector placed in the bladder proximal end and the other in the kidney distal end. As motion occurs, the ureter slides up and down the stent body. Any other travel results in an uncurling of the end effector(s).

SUMMARY

It is an objective of the invention to provide a patient, male or female, with a flexible device designed to maintain the patency of the ureter and enable fluid drainage while minimizing the pains and discomfort commonly associate with an in-dwelling device.

Discomfort may be related to the stent rubbing against a wall of the ureter, caused by the constant relative motion between the kidney and the bladder. This motion may be as much as 5 centimeters (cm) (approximately 2 inches) and cycles with each breath of the patient. This is equal to approximately 17,000 cycles per day, assuming 1 breath every 5 seconds. The present invention alleviates discomfort by providing a stent that, like the ureter, linearly expands and contracts in response to relative motion between the kidney and the bladder, thereby reducing friction caused by a stent rubbing against a wall of the ureter.

In one aspect, the invention features a ureteral stent having an elongated member defining a lumen. The member has a solid sidewall defining a spiral-shaped opening such that the member is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. A distal retention structure is connected to a distal end of the elongated member for retention in a kidney, and a proximal retention structure is connected to a proximal end of the elongated member for retention in a bladder.

One or more of the following features may also be included. The member includes a spring having a spring force of less than one pound. The member includes a wire spring. The wire spring includes a metal alloy, that may include at least one of titanium, nickel, copper, cobalt, vanadium, and iron. The metal alloy includes nitinol. The wire spring is coated with a polymer. The polymer includes at least one of urethane, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic polyester elastomer, polyethyl, and silicone.

The stent has an elongated member including a tube having the solid sidewall and defining the lumen. The spiral-shaped opening is defined by a slit formed in the sidewall of the tube. The elongated member may include a polymer, such as at least one of urethane, nylon, TPU, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, polyethyl, and silicone.

The elongated member includes an inner liner and an outer cover. A wire spring is sandwiched between the inner liner and the outer cover, with the spiral-shaped opening being defined by slits formed in the inner liner and the outer cover, between a plurality of coils of the wire spring. The wire spring includes a metal alloy including, e.g., at least one of titanium, nickel, copper, cobalt, vanadium, and iron. The metal alloy includes nitinol. At least one of the inner liner and the outer cover includes a polymer. The polymer includes at least one of urethane, nylon, TPU, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, polyethyl, and silicone.

A removable introducer is sized for placement within the lumen.

In another aspect of the invention, a ureteral stent includes an elongated member defining a lumen, the member having a solid sidewall with at least one slit formed therein such that the member is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. A distal retention structure is connected to a distal end of the elongated member for retention in a kidney, and a proximal retention structure is connected to a proximal end of the elongated member for retention in a bladder.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of facilitating urinary drainage from a kidney to a bladder in a patient that reduces discomfort to the patient includes positioning a ureteral stent in a ureter of a patient, the ureteral stent having an elongated member defining a lumen, the member having a solid sidewall defining a spiral-shaped opening such that the member is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis of the lumen, a distal retention structure connected to a distal end of the elongated member for retention in the kidney, and a proximal retention structure connected to a proximal end of the elongated member for retention in the bladder. The elongated member is allowed to linearly expand and contract between an expanded position and a retracted position, based on at least one of: relative positioning of organs within the patient, a breathing pattern of the patient, and relative positions of the kidney and the bladder. In addition, the elongated member can be biased to the retracted position.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a linearly expandable ureteral stent includes providing an elongated member defining a lumen, the member having a solid sidewall defining a spiral-shaped opening such that the member is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. The stent also includes a distal retention structure and a proximal retention structure. The distal retention structure is connected to a distal end of the elongated member, and the proximal retention structure is connected to a proximal end of the elongated member.

The following features may be included. Providing the elongated member includes providing a wire spring. Providing the wire spring includes coating the wire spring with a polymer. Providing the wire spring includes sandwiching the wire spring between an inner lining and an outer cover. The inner lining and outer cover include extruded sheets. The inner lining and outer cover are shrunk, and slits are formed through the inner lining and outer cover between a plurality of coils of the wire spring. The inner lining and the outer cover are melted, and slits are formed through the inner lining and outer cover between a plurality of coils of the wire spring. The elongated member is provided by forming a tube including a polymer, and forming a spiral slit through the tube.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of placing a ureteral stent in a patient includes providing a ureteral stent. The ureteral stent includes an elongated member defining a lumen, the member having a solid sidewall defining a spiral-shaped opening such that the member is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. The ureteral stent also includes a distal retention structure connected to a distal end of the elongated member, and a proximal retention structure connected to a proximal end of the elongated member. The ureteral stent is inserted into a ureter of the patient. The ureteral stent is positioned in the patient with the distal retention structure substantially within the kidney of the patient, the elongated member substantially within the intramural tunnel portion of the ureter, and the proximal retention structure substantially within the bladder of the patient. In a detailed embodiment, the ureteral stent can further include a removable introducer sized to fit within the lumen and inserting the ureteral stent includes inserting the stent with the removable introducer into the ureter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a human urinary tract, illustrating the placement of one embodiment of the invention within the ureter of a patient, in an expanded position;

FIGS. 1B-1C are detailed sectional views of a portion of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A-2B are schematic representations of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C in a retracted position;

FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic representations of another embodiment of the invention in an expanded position;

FIGS. 4A-4C are schematic representations of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B in a retracted position;

FIGS. 5A-5C are schematic representations of yet another embodiment of the invention at various stages of fabrication;

FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic representations of yet another embodiment of the invention in retracted and expanded positions; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an introducer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention features temporary ureteral stents that, when positioned within the ureter of a patient, significantly reduce discomfort to the patient. As used herein, proximal refers to the end of a stent closest to a medical professional when placing a stent in a patient. As used herein, distal refers to the end of a stent furthest from a medical professional when placing a stent in a patient.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a human urinary tract 100 includes a ureter 105 that transports urine from a kidney 110 to a bladder 115. When ureter 105 becomes blocked or obstructed due to, for example, post-kidney stone fragmentation/removal and ureteral stricture therapy, fluid drainage can become restricted. Ureteral stents are medical devices that are implanted within ureter 105 to restore patency and fluid drainage. A ureteral stent 120 is located within the ureter 105 of a patient, with a distal retention structure 125 in a pelvis 130 of kidney 110, and a proximal retention structure 135 in the bladder 115, proximate ureteral orifice 136. A lumen 137 extends within distal retention structure 25, an elongated member 140, and proximal retention structure 135 to provide for the passage of fluid. Distal retention structure 125 is connected to a distal end 142 of elongated member 120, and proximal retention structure 135 is connected to a proximal end 144 of elongated member 140. Distal retention structure 125 secures distal end 142 of elongated member in or proximate to kidney 110. Proximal retention structure 135 secures proximal end 144 of elongated member 140 in or proximate bladder 115, as well as facilitates the removal of stent 120 by providing a loop suitable for grasping by a hook.

Distal retention structure 125 and proximal retention structure 135 can be fabricated of materials such as nylon, polyurethane, or the like. Heat bonding of these materials to elongated member 140 is conveniently accomplished by, for example, using an RF heat source as is commonly employed for plastic tubes and catheters. The desired shape of distal and proximal retention structures 125, 135 can be formed by injection molding or extrusion. They can also be heat-formed, for example, by flaring the working piece over an anvil of an appropriate shape, with the application of heat. The shape of distal retention structure 125 can be, for example, a coil, a pig-tail coil, J-shaped, or a helical coil. The shape of proximal retention structure 135 can be, for example, a coil, a pig-tail coil, J-shaped or a helical coil. In the illustrated embodiment, both distal and proximal retention structures 125, 135 are J-shaped.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, elongated member 140 includes a tube 145 having a solid sidewall 150. A slit 155 is formed in sidewall 150, defining a spiral-shaped opening 160, so that elongated member 140 is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis 165 of lumen 137. Elongated member 140 can be formed from a polymer, such as, e.g., urethane, nylon, TPU, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, polyethyl, and silicone.

Elongated member 140 can be manufactured by, for example, injection molding or extrusion and optionally a combination of subsequent machining operations. Extrusion processes, for example, can be used to provide a uniform shape, such as a single monolithic tube. Spiral-shaped opening 160 can be created in the desired locations by a subsequent machining operation.

Referring also to FIGS. 2A and 2B, elongated member 140 is linearly expandable between an expanded position (see, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1B) and a retracted position (see FIGS. 2A-2B). When elongated member 140 is retracted, spiral-shaped opening 160 is closed. A difference in an expanded length L₁ of elongated member 140 in its expanded position and a retracted length L₂ of elongated member 140 in its retracted position can be approximately 5 cm (approximately 2 inches). For example, elongated member 140 can be sized so that retracted length L₂ is approximately 8 cm to 30 cm, and expanded length L₁ is approximately 13 cm to 35 cm. Elongated member 140 can have, in its retracted position, an outer diameter d₁ corresponding to approximately 3.7 French to 14.0 French. Lumen 137 can have a diameter d₂ when elongated member 140 is in its retracted position, to allow the introduction of a guide wire.

In use, elongated member 140 can expand linearly up to 2 inches to expanded length L₁, to provide comfort to the patient by compensating for at least one of: relative positioning of organs within the patient, a breathing pattern of the patient, and relative positions of kidney 110 and bladder 115. Because of the possibility of linear expansion, a physician may be able to select ureteral stent 120 with a smaller size than would be required with a conventional stent.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, in another embodiment, ureteral stent 300 has an elongated member 310 including a spring 315. Distal retention structure 125 is connected to a distal end 312 of elongated member 310, and proximal retention structure 135 is connected to a proximal end 314 of elongated member 310.

Spring 315 has a plurality of coils 320 having, in some embodiments, a spring force less than one pound. Spring 315 includes a wire 325 formed from a superelastic material. Materials with superelastic properties make it possible to configure a component into a particular shape, such as a coil or a sleeve, and then modify reversibly the geometry of the component, such as by straightening it out. Once the device is straightened, after removal of the straightening force, the component reverts spontaneously to its predetermined configuration, thereby regaining its former geometry. In so doing, the component provides a biasing force back to its original configuration.

Superelastic materials can include alloys of In—Ti, Fe—Mn, Ni—Ti, Ag—Cd, Au—Cd, Au—Cu, Cu—Al—Ni, Cu—Au—Zn, Cu—Zn—Al, Cu—Zn—Sn, Cu—Zn—Xe, Fe₃Be, Fe₃Pt, Ni—Ti—V, Fe—Ni—Ti—Co, and Cu—Sn. Preferably, wire 325 includes a superelastic material comprising a nickel and titanium alloy, known commonly as nitinol, available from Memory Corp. of Brookfield, Conn. or SMA Inc. of San Jose, Calif. The ratio of nickel and titanium in nitinol can be varied. Examples include a ratio of about 50% to about 52% nickel by weight, or a ratio of about 48% to about 50% titanium by weight. Nitinol has shape retention properties in its superelastic phase.

Wire 325 can have a coating 330 including a biocompatible material, such as a polymer like urethane, nylon, TPU, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, polyethyl, or silicone. Coating 330 can be applied to wire 325 by various methods, such as spray coating or painting.

Ureteral stent 300 has an expanded position (see, e.g., FIGS. 3A-3B) and a retracted position (see, e.g., FIGS. 4A-4C). In the retracted position, coils 320 abut each other, defining a lumen 332 that is substantially enclosed. In the expanded position, coils 320 define a spiral-shaped opening 335, formed by a plurality of gaps 340 between coils 320. Elongated member 310 is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis 345 of lumen 332.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, in another embodiment, a stent 500 is formed by placing a wire spring 510, having a plurality of coils 512, between an inner lining 515 and an outer cover 520. Wire spring 510 can be made from a metal alloy including, for example, titanium, nickel, copper, cobalt, vanadium, or iron. The metal alloy can include nitinol, a material including nickel and titanium. Inner lining 515 and outer cover 520 can each be formed from an extruded sheet. Inner lining 515 and outer cover 520 can each be made from a polymer, such as urethane, nylon, TPU, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, polyethyl, and silicone.

Inner lining 515 and outer cover 520 are deformed at elevated temperatures to fully surround wire spring 510. For example, inner lining 515 and outer cover 520 can be shrunk by, e.g., exposure to a heat lamp. Alternatively, inner lining 515 and outer cover 520 can be melted by, e.g., heating in an oven. After deformation, a plurality of slits 525 are formed through inner lining 515 and outer cover 520 between coils 512 to form an elongated member 530. Elongated member 530 is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis 535 of a lumen 540 extending through elongated member 530. Elongated member 530 is connected at a distal end 545 to a distal retention structure 125, and at a proximal end 555 to a proximal retention structure 135.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, in yet another embodiment, a stent 600 has an elongated member 610 connected to distal retention structure 125 for retention in a kidney and proximal retention structure 135 for retention in a bladder. Elongated member 610 defines a lumen 620, and has a solid sidewall 625. Solid sidewall 625 can be made of a biocompatible material, such as a polymer, e.g., urethane, nylon, TPU, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, polyethyl, or silicone. Solid sidewall 625 has at least one slit 630 formed in it, so that elongated member 610 is linearly expandable along a longitudinal axis 635 of lumen 620.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for delivering a stent into a patient. An introducer 700 includes a guide wire 710. A proximal end 720 of guide wire 710 includes a grip 725 to assist in using the device.

Referring to FIG. 7 and also to FIG. 1A, in use, a stent, (e.g., stent 120) is mounted on introducer 700. Distal retention structure 125 is threaded over guide wire 710, and most of its inherent curvature is removed. Next, the guide wire 710 is inserted into bladder 115 through ureteral orifice 136 up ureter 105, and into kidney 110. A pusher (not shown) is then moved along guide wire 710, pushing stent 120 along guide wire 710 towards kidney 110. Proximal end 144 of elongated member 140 can be positioned either at or distal to ureteral orifice 136. Stent 120 can also be positioned such that proximal retention structure 135 is at or distal to ureteral orifice 136.

Once the surgeon has achieved the desired positioning of stent 120, guide wire 710 is removed, while holding the pusher stationary to maintain stent 120 in position. Finally, the pusher is removed from within the patient, leaving stent 120 in place. Using this method, the stent of the invention can be precisely positioned within ureter 105 of the patient. The method can also be used to accurately position proximal retention structure 135 in bladder 115, and distal retention structure 125 within kidney 110.

In one embodiment of the invention, the guide wire, pusher, and stent are inserted into ureter 105 percutaneously through a surgical opening. In another embodiment, they are inserted into the ureter via the urinary tract of the patient.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A method for forming a ureteral stent comprising: forming an elongated member having a tubular shape, the elongated member including a sidewall defining a lumen; and forming a continuous spiral-shaped opening in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis of the lumen.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a distal retention structure, the distal retention structure being disposed at a distal end of the elongated member, the distal retention structure defining a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the forming the distal retention structure includes forming the distal retention structure via at least one of injection molding, extrusion and heat-formed.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the forming the distal retention structure includes forming the distal retention structure to have a shape selected from a group consisting of a “J” shape, a coil shape, a pig-tail coil shape and a helical coil shape.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a proximal retention structure, the proximal retention structure being disposed at a proximal end of the elongated member.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the elongated member includes forming the elongated member via at least one of an injection molding and extrusion.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidewall has a cross-section taken along a plane that includes the longitudinal axis when the elongated member is in the refracted configuration, an outer surface of the sidewall being substantially linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis along the length of the cross-section of the sidewall.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming an elongated member includes forming the elongated member from a polymer including at least one of a group consisting of urethane, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic polyester elastomer, and silicone.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the elongated member includes providing a wire spring.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming a continuous spiral-shaped opening includes forming a continuous spiral-shaped opening that includes a plurality of revolutions around the elongated member.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a retention structure; and bonding the retention structure to an end portion of the elongated member.
 12. A method for forming a ureteral stent comprising: forming an elongated member having a tubular shape, the elongated member including a sidewall; forming a first slit in the sidewall, the first slit configured to define a first rotation of a continuous spiral-shaped opening; and forming a second slit in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration, the second slit configured to define a second rotation of the continuous spiral-shaped opening.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sidewall between the first rotation and the second rotation having an inner surface defining a lumen and an outer surface configured to contact a ureter, the sidewall between the inner surface and the outer surface being devoid of another lumen.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: forming a distal retention structure, the distal retention structure being disposed at a distal end of the elongated member, the distal retention structure defining a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the distal retention structure includes forming the distal retention structure via at least one of injection molding, extrusion and heat-formed.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the distal retention structure includes forming the distal retention structure to have a shape selected from a group consisting of a “J” shape, a coil shape, a pig-tail coil shape and a helical coil shape.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising: forming a proximal retention structure, the proximal retention structure being disposed at a proximal end of the elongated member for retention in a bladder.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the forming the elongated member includes forming the elongated member via at least one of an injection molding and extrusion.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the forming the elongated member includes forming the elongated member from a polymer including at least one of a group consisting of urethane, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic polyester elastomer, and silicone.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the forming the elongated member includes providing a wire spring.
 21. The method of claim 12, further comprising: forming a retention structure; and bonding the retention structure to an end portion of the elongated member. 